Gas compressor



March 12, 1935.' H. H. CARPENTAER GAS COMPRESSOR Filed Feb INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. '12, 1935 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE GAS o'omrnnssoa 7 Howard H, Carpenter, Pasadena, alif. 7 Application February 1, 1933, Serial No. 54,575 14 Claims. (erase-'10s) My invention relates to centrifugal gascompressors using a liquid as acompression medium; and the principal or general objects of my invention are first, to provide a compressor having a higher efficiency than now attained; second, to effect a substantially complete separation offthe liquid compression medium from the gas being compressed; third, the creation of higher pres sures than have been formerly obtained with this type of. compressor.. 'The inventionhas'oth'er more specific objects which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, in the light of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 7' a In the accompanyingdrawing forming a part of this specification, I

Fig. l is a sectional elevation; 1

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1'; and

Fig. 3 shows an enlarged vertical section of one of the high pressure gas units.

1 indicates the shell'or casing member enclosing the rotor 2 adapted to be rotated by the electric motor 3 or other power means through the hollow shaft 4. The upper end oithe hollow shaft 4 passes through the stufiing box 5 permitting the compressed gases to be discharged through the outlet pipe 6. As shown, the casing 1 holds a body of liquid 7 used as the medium of compression, although. arpipe or separate tank could be employed as a source of supply if desired. In the casing 1 there is the gas inlet 8, and the rotor has a tapered liquid inlet 9 with longitudinal vanes 10 depending from the rotor into the liquid 7; 11 is a low pressure gas conduit and 12the high pressure conduit for the gas, both of said conduits being annular and preferably formed by walls in the rotor.

nates the high pressure gas discharge members which take gas from the high pressure conduit 12 and discharge it through the liquid, as will be,

described.

Liquid traps are shown at15 for thelow pressure side and at 16 for the high pressure side.

17 is the central chamber into which the liquid, at

low pressure, is initially drawn. When the rotor 2 is under rotation, the position of the liquid will pression liquid, and 24. the liquid inlet toone of.

the gas discharge members 14, shown in Fig. 3.

, The low pressure conduit 11 and the high pressure conduit 22" leading to the high pressure conduit 12 form part of the rotor 2. The liquid compres- 13 is a low pressure gas inlet for conduit 11, and 14 desig sioninedium entersinlet 28;passes throughintermediary conduits 29 and 30, and escapes from the'rotor at the outlet 31. Stationary hydraulic turbine blades are secured to the casing 1 as shown at 32, and co-operating blades mounted on the rotor 2 are shown at 33, the arrangement being such that the liquid, under pressure as it leaves 7 outlet 31, is diverted by the stationary blades 32 and expends most of its kinetic energy against the rotorblades' 33. v

1 In operation, the rotor 2 on being rotated by the electric motor 3 (or any other power means such as'belt, gears-etc.) draws the liquid '7 up from the bottom of'the casing through the rotor inlet 9 and the conduit 29 and by the action'of centrifugal force the liquid is thrown around the outer rim of the chamber 17. The liquid passes into the chamber through the conduit 30, the conduit 30 being submerged belowthe surface of the liquid in the chamber 20 to form the gas seal 15.

After the liquid flows around the outer circumference of the chamber '20 it is discharged through the outlet 31 back into the container 1 for reuse. Theliquid serves as th'e only compression medium, and is continually circulated through the compression member. If desired, the liquid may flow to waste and'new liquidmay besupplied constantly from an outside source of supply. 1

.The'gasto be compressed passes through the inlet":8to theconduitll. The liquid under centrifugal force is on the outer rim of chamber 1'7, and as it flows towards the conduit draws from the submerged tubesl9 gas fromthe conduit 11 into the body of the liquid in the form of bubbles (illustrated in Fig. 2), which rise to the surface and occupy the spacein the chamber '17 not filled by the liquid.

From chamber 1'? the'gas, now under compression,"passes' through conduit 22 to the circular conduit '12 to undergo a second stage of compression. From conduit'12, the discharge members .14 receive their supply of gas through inlet tubes 26 (Fig. 3)- and discharge into the body of the liquid in chamber 20 through the outlets 2'7.

Greater capacity and efficiency are attained especially in the higher pressures by passing a jet of liquid through the inlet tube as shown in enlarged section in Fig. 3. The jet of liquid issuing from the nozzle 25 is fed by. the flowing liquid filling the funnel 24, or the nozzle 25 may :be fed from any other convenient source of liquid. Such'a liquid gas inlet feed, or a plain tube, may be used in either low or high'pressure or single compression units. Baflie plates as shown at may be rotating outlet 4 and thence to the stationary outlet pipe 6. V

The centrifugal action on the gas as compressed in the high and low pressure chambers causes a substantially complete separation of moisture and the delivery of a substantially dry gas to the outlet, a result difficult to obtain in the present form of hydraulic gas compressors.

This compressor makes it possible to compress a relatively large volume of gas in proportion to the amount of liquid circulated through the rotor, and therefore a considerable saving in power is effected.

- A further saving of power is attained by utilizing, a greaterpart of the kinetic energy of the liquid being discharged through the outlet nozzle 31 impinging on the stationary turbine blades 32 and deflected onto the moving turbine blades 33 forming a part of the rotor member 2. I

It is obvious that'if conduit 4 were connected to the circular conduit 11 and the chamber 20 were opened to the interior of the enclosing casing 1, the gas inlets and outlets would then'be reversed and the apparatus would be operative'as a compressor. In practice I have found this arrangement to be most desirable for low pressure work. Also, if desired, a single stage of compression, or three or more stages of compression, may be employed; The two stages shown are ordinarily adequate; r

It is to be understood that the exact construction of the compressor is not important and the invention may be embodied in various other forms, and that many changes might be made in thecompressor as shown without departing from the spirit of the invention. Having thus described my invention, what I claim: as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isr' I 1.. Acompressor comprising, in combination, a casing; a rotor within the casing spaced above the bottom thereof; a supply. of liquid in the bottom of the casing; a liquid inlet extending downwardly'from the center of the rotor to a point belowthe liquid level; the rotor having a chamber formed'therein to which'the liquid is conductedbysaid inlet; a gas intake in the casing;

a gas conduit in communication with'said intake and surrounding said chamber; tubes opening into said chamber and gasconduit and so arranged that flow of the liquid draws gas from the gas conduit through said tubes into said chamber; means to conduct the compressed gas away; means to return the liquid in thecharnber to the bottom of the casing; and power meansrto' rotate the rotor.

2. A compressor comprising, in'combination, a casing; a rotor within the casing spaced above the bottom thereof; a supply of liquid in the bottom of the casing; a liquid inlet extending downwardly from the center of the rotor'to a point below the liquid level; the rotor having a chamber formed-therein to which the liquid is conducted by said inlet; a gas intake in the casing; a gas conduit incommunication with said. intake and surrounding" said chamber; tubes opening into said chamber'and gas conduit and so arranged that; flow of the liquid draws gas. from the gas conduit through said tubes into said chamber;

gas conduit; means conducting the liquid from thefirst to the second chamber; a second gas'conduit formed on the rotor outside the second chamber; means to conduct gas from the second gas conduit into the second chamber; means vto 'con duct the compressed gas away; means communieating with the second chamber to return the liquid to the bottom ofthe casingp-andpower means to rotate therotor. I

a second chamber formed on the rotor outside the 3. A compressor comprising, in combination, a

casing; a rotor within the casing; a supply of liquid; means tohold' the supply of liquid; a liquid inlet extending downwardly from the center of the rotor toa point below the liquid level; the

rotor having a chamber formed therein to which the liquid is conducted by said inlet; a gas intakein the casing; a gas conduit in communication with said intake andsurrounding said chamber; tubes opening into said chamber and gas conduit andso arranged that flow of the liquid draws gas from the gas conduit'through said tubes into said chamber; a second chamber formed on the rotor, outside the gas conduit; means conducting' the liquid from the first to the second chamher; a second gas conduit formed :onfthe rotor" outside the'second chamber; means to conduct 7 gas from the second gas conduitinto the second chamber; meansto ,conduct the compressed gas away; means communicating with the second chamber to convey the liquid-to the outer rim oflevel; the rotor having a chamber formed there'- V I in to whichrthe liquid is conducted by said inlet; a, gas intake in the casing; a gas conduit in com munication with .said intakev and surrounding said chamber; tubes opening into said chamber and gas conduit and so arranged that flow of the 1 liquid draws gas from the gas conduit through said tubes into said chamber; a second chamber formed on r the rotor outside the gas conduit; means conducting the liquid from the first tothe" second chamber; a trap positioned to prevent the flow of compressed gas into the second :liquid chamber; a-gas compression seal to-lprevent es-' cape of compressed gas; a; second gas conduit. formed on the rotor outside thesecond chamber; a means to conduct gas from the-second gas conduit into the second chamber; means to conduct the compressed gas away; 'means'communicat;

ing with the second chamber to return the liquid means to rotate the rotor; a

5. A compressor -comprising,fin combination, a casing; 'a rotor within the casing spaced above the bottom thereof; a supply of liquid in the bot-,

wardly from the ,centeriof the rotor to a point to r to the means for holdingthe same; .and power 65,- tom of the casing; a liquid inletv extending down-' 7 below the liquid level; the rotorhavinga chamber formed thereinto which the liquidis conducted by said inlet; a gas intake in the casing; a gas conduitin communication with said intakeand surrounding saidchamber; tubes opening, I into said; chamber and gasconduit and so arranged that flow of the'liquid draws gas froml 7 the gas conduitv throughsaid'tubes into said chamber; a second chamberformed on the rotor outside the gas conduit; meansqconducting the liquid from the first to the secondchamber; a second gas conduit formed on the rotor outside the second chamber; means to conduct gas from the second'gas conduit into the second chamber; bafiiesin'thesecond chamber fixed andshaped so-asto assist the bubbles of gas to be deflected to the surface of the liquid-in the second chamber; means to conduct the compressed gas away; means communicating with the second chamber to return the liquid to the bottom. of the casing; and. power means'to rotate the rotor.

6. A compressorcomprising, in combination, a casing; a rotor within the casing; a supply of liquid; a liquidinlet connecting the center of the rotor with the supply of liquid; the rotor having a liquid chamber therein; a gas intake in the casing; a gas conduit in the rotor in communication withsaid intake and surrounding the liquid chamber; conduits opening at their opposite ends into said liquid chamber and gas conduit and so arranged that .fiow of the liquid draws gas from the" gas conduit through said conduits into said liquid chamber; means to conduct away the compressed gas; and power means to rotate the rotor. I

.7. A compressor comprising, in combination,

a rotor; power means to rotate the rotor; a casing enclosing the rotor; a liquid chamber located centrallyof the rotor; a liquid inlet; a gas inlet; an annular gas conduit surrounding said chamber and connected to the gas'inlet; means to draw 'gasfrom said annular conduit into .the chamber; a' gas conduit open tothe central part of said chamber and extending outwardly ra'-' dially of the rotor; an annular chamber surrounding said annular gas conduit; an annular conduit surrounding'said annular chamberand communicating with said radial gas conduit; means to draw gas from the last named annular conduit into said annular chamber; means at the periphery of the rotor to discharge the liquid from within the annular chamber; a gas conduit extending radially inwardly from said annular chamber to the center of the rotor; and means connected to the last named gas conduit to conduct away the compressed gas. v

8. A compressor comprising, in combination, a

' rotor; an electric motor having its shaft co-axial with and secured to the rotor; said shaft being hollow; a stuffing-box at the outer end of said shaft; a compressed gas discharge pipe connected with the stufiing-box; a gas inlet in the rotor; a liquid inlet also in the rotor; a source of liquid supply; means on the rotorto draw the gas in the form of smallbubbles into the liquid; means to collect the gas as it separates from the liquid; a gas seal; means to discharge the liquid; and a conduit leading from the gas-collecting means to the inner end of said hollow shaft.

9. A compressor comprising, in combination, a rotor; power means to drive the rotor; a casing enclosing the rotor; a gas inlet in the casing; a gas conduit formed on the rotor and communicating with the gas inlet; a liquid inlet on the rotor; a chamber located centrally of the rotor and receiving liquid from said inlet; means in said chamber to draw the gas from said gas conduit in the form of small bubbles into the liquid in the chamber; a conduit conducting the liquid from said chamber into a second chamber which is outside of the first; a conduit conducting the gas separating from the liquid in the first-named chamber; an annular gas conduit outside of the secondchamber; and to which the gas is led; a discharge outlet tor the liquid in the second chamber; a stationary set of turbine bladessee. cured to the casing and located just beyond the path of revolutionof the extremity of the discharge outlet; and a. complementary set of turbine blades fixed to. the periphery of the rotor and located 'just outside of the stationary setof turbine blades; the'arrangement beingsuch that much of the kinetic. energy of the liquid issuing from the. discharge outlet is utilized to turn the rotor.v

10. A compressor 'comprisingin combination, a casing; a rotorwithin the casing; power means to rotate the rotor; .a supply of. liquid; a liquid inlet connecting. the. rotor with the supply .of liquid; therotor having a liquid chamber therein; a gas intake in the casing; a gas conduit in the rotor in communication with saidgas intake; conduits opening at their oppositeends into said-gas conduit and'liquidchamber and so arranged that flow of the :liquid draws gas through said conduits into said liquid chamber; means to conduct away the compressed gas; means to discharge the liquid from the liquid chamber in a generally radial direction, outwardly from said liquid chamber; and turbine blades on the casing and rotor adapted to utilize part of the kinetic energy of the discharged liquid toassist in rotation of the rotor. I

11. A compressorcomprising, incombination, a casing; a. rotor .within the casing; said. rotor havinga'liquid chamber therein; a .gasiintake in the casing; a gas conduit in the rotor in communication with said gas intake; discharge members communicating with the gas conduit. and r with the liquid chamber and located in the liquid chamber; said discharge members each being provided with a restricted nozzle on the interior which discharges liquid into an outlet tube of larger size, said outlet tube communicating with the gas conduit and discharging directly into the liquid chamber; and means to conduct away the compressed gas separating from the liquid in the liquid chamber.

12. A compressor comprising, in combination,

a casing; a rotor within the casing; said rotor having a liquid chamber therein; a gas intake inthe casing; a gas conduit in the rotor in communication with said gas intake; discharge mem-' bers communicating with the gas conduit and with the liquid chamber and located in the liquid chamber; said discharge members each being provided with a restricted nozzle on the interior which discharges liquid into an outlet tube of larger size, said outlet tube communicating with the gas conduit and discharging directly into the liquid chamber; baffles in the liquid chamber adjacent said outlet tubes to assist the gas bubbles to be deflected to the surface of the liquid in the liquid chamber; and means to conduct away the compressed gas separating from the liquid inv the liquid chamber.

13. A compressor comprising, in'combination.

a casing; a rotor within the casing; power means to rotate the rotor; a supply of liquid; a liquid inlet connecting the rotor with the supply of liquid; the rotor having a liquid chamber therein; a gas intake in the-casing; an annular gas conduit in the. rotor in communication with said gas intake and surrounding the liquid chamber; a plurality of tubes of relatively small diameter opening at their outer ends into said annular gas conduit and extending into the liquid chamber and so arranged that the flow of the liquid through said chamber draws 'gas through said tubes into said .liquid chamber; a conduit for compressed gas leading from the central part of said liquid chamber to the outer part of the rotor;

an annular gas conduit at the outer part of the or outermost liquid chamber; a gascompression seal in the outermost liquid chamber to prevent escape of compressed gas therefrom; discharge members communicating with the outermost gas conduit and the. second liquid chamber and'located in said chamber; said discharge members each being provided with a restricted nozzle on the interior which discharges liquid into an outlet. tube of larger size, said outlet tube communicating with the gas conduit and discharging directly into the liquid chamber; and baflies in the outermost liquid chamber adjacent said outlet tube to assist the gas bubbles to be deflected to the surface of the liquid in the second liquid chamber.

14. A compressor comprisin in combination, a casing ;'a rotor Within the casing; power means to rotate the rotor; a supply of liquid; a liquid inlet connecting the rotor with the supply, of liquid; the rotor having a liquid chamber: therein; a gas. intake in the casing; an annular gas conduit in the rotor in communication with said gas intake and surrounding the liquid chamber; a plurality of tubes of relatively small diameter opening at their outer ends into saidannular gas conduit and extending into the liquid chamber and so arranged that;thefiow of the liquid through said chamber' draws gasthrough said tubes into said liquid chamber; a conduit for compressed gas leading from th central part of i said liquid chamber to the outer part of the rotor; an annulargas; conduit at the outer part'of the rotor; at second liquid'ch'amber located between the outer gas conduit an'd the -gas'conduit first mentioned; a conduit conducting liquid fromthe 7 inner liquid chamber to the outer liquidichamber' and providing a trap to preventthe flow of compressed gas 'into the second: liquidvchamber;

means to discharge the liquid from the second or outermost/liquid chamber; argascompression seal in the outermost liquid chamber to prevent es cape of compressed gas therefrom;' discharge members communicating with: the outermost gas conduit and the second liquid chamber and lo-' Y cated in said chamber; said discharge members each being provided with a restricted nozzle on the interior which'discharges liquidintoanlout let tube of larger size,rsaid outlet tube communicating with the gas conduit and discharging directly into the liquid chamber; bafiles in theout- V ermost liquid chamberadjacentsaid outlet tube to assist the gas bubbles to'be deflected to the surface of the liquid in the second liquidcham'a 4 1 bier; a stationary .set of turbine blades secured to the casing and located. just beyond the periphe I 4 cry of the rotor; and'a complementary set of turbine blades fixed to; the periphery of the. rotor and located-just outside the-stationary; set ofturbine blades, the arrangement being such that,

much of the kinetic energy of the liquid-issuing" from the discharge outlet is utilized. to-turn the rotor.

HOWARD H.. oeRPErIrERQ I 

